Quick-change display frame locking device

ABSTRACT

The present invention allows for a picture frame of common manufacture and availability to be converted into a locking display cabinet.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA

[0001] The inventor hereof claims priority based upon and pursuant to U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/288,884 filed on May 6, 2001.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to the display of artwork or other media; and, more specifically, to displaying artwork or other media that is able to be changed by authorized persons while restricting access to unauthorized persons.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] It is quite common that artwork and other media placed in public and in other high traffic spaces are frequent targets of vandalism and theft. The most reasonable solution for areas such as these is to put up artwork and media that can be easily replaced if defaced or stolen. The main problem with this method is that it is not very appealing to have things displayed without some sort of display cabinet or a picture or display frame. The inexpensive display cabinets offer an upgraded look but offer no protection to the artwork or media placed inside. Normal picture or display frames look much better but they are easy targets for vandalism and theft. The picture or display frame is the preferable method for artwork or other media that will be continuously displayed for a long time. There are numerous devices that can secure the average picture or display frame to a wall for security purposes. Along the same lines, locking display cabinets offer the same sort of protection for artwork or other media. Although the look is not very impressive, the artwork or other media inside is protected from unauthorized persons. These locking display cabinets allow nicer subject matter to be displayed and also give one the ability to easily switch the artwork or other media as often as desired.

[0004] One of the closest prior art references to address these issues and attempt to merge the two approaches is U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,428 to Fischer. In this invention, a specially manufactured display frame is used to present the artwork or other media. It also attaches to the wall in a secure fashion and prevents unauthorized users from changing the artwork or other media inside by means of a key access. The securing means and the means for switching the artwork or other media are not concealed and are both visible and noticeable. With a key lock and a slot on one of the sides that runs the length of an entire leg, it is quite obvious that the frame is a display cabinet. The large slot also makes the artwork or other media inside susceptible to vandalism. Since this invention requires the use of a specially manufactured frame, the end user has significantly reduced control over what the display will look like. The similarity is that it is an attempt to make a lockable display cabinet look more like a picture or display frame.

[0005] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,536 to Erber et al., a sealed display assembly is presented for artwork or other media. In this assembly, a method of securing the artwork or other media is discussed, as well as the ability for untrained personnel to access and change the artwork or other media inside. It also serves to protect the artwork or other media that it contains from vandalism or theft. Again, the primary difference here is a specially manufactured frame. Without the specially manufactured frame on front, the whole unit will not function because the cover frame is an integral part of the security feature. Also, when disassembling this unit to change the artwork or other media, many components of this complex frame have to be removed to get at the artwork or media, making it more time consuming to swap out the subject matter.

[0006] Most of the prior art references discovered are designed primarily to deter theft and vandalism and are not designed to have the artwork or other media to be easily changed. All other prior art references that facilitate the changing of the artwork or other media inside require the use of a specially manufactured frame, which limits the end user's ability to control the look of the artwork or other media being presented. The present device was invented to give the purchaser control over the appearance of his or her display system, without sacrificing the security features and ease of use features inherent in a locking display cabinet. It is this ability to convert a picture or display frame of conventional manufacture and availability into a locking display cabinet that, according to one or more of the several embodiments, sets this invention apart from all prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is useful because it combines all the features of the picture frame with all the features of the locking display cabinet. Quite simply put, this device turns the average picture or display frame of conventional manufacture and availability into a locking display cabinet without detracting from the aesthetics of the frame, which is a distinguishing feature from the prior art. By using a decorative display or picture frame as the viewable front, the appearance of the locking display cabinet can be controlled by the purchaser.

[0008] The device of the present invention attaches to a wall or other surface in a planar fashion and comprises a backing board that engages with a picture or display frame on one side and has a locking latch with means to secure itself to said picture or display frame on a different side. Thus, when the device is in the closed position and the latch is in the locked position, the artwork or other media is secured on two different sides, making it inaccessible to unauthorized persons. Also in the closed and locked position, the secured artwork or other media is viewable through said decorative picture or display frame and is wholly contained therein. Conversely, when the locking latch mechanism is in the unlocked position, the display or picture frame can be moved to an open position, or even disengaged in some of the embodiments of the present invention, so that the artwork or other media is easily accessed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of components with front and backside views of display frame 80 and catch assembly 50.

[0010]FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of artwork/media board assembly.

[0011]FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of optional stackable spacers FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of mounting board.

[0012]FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of hinge and a breakaway section of display frame.

[0013]FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of relationship between catch assembly, prong and key.

[0014]FIGS. 7a, 7 b show a two dimensional view of locking and unlocking motions of prong, catch and key.

[0015]FIGS. 8a, 8 b show a two dimensional breakaway section and the relationship of components when in the open and closed positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

[0017]FIGS. 1,4 contain renderings of mounting board assembly 30. In this particular embodiment of the present invention, mounting board assembly 30 contains many components of the device. Mounting board assembly 30 can be constructed from any combination of plastics, metals or other materials. In this embodiment, a material choice should be one that can support the weight of display frame 80 and hinge 40 as well as support a locking security feature provided by prong 60, catch assembly 50 and slide bar assembly 350. Materials that provide greater rigidity and lower flexibility properties will provide the most security in an installed device. However, in many situations, low security requirements, lightweight applications and mass production concerns may warrant the use of many types of inexpensive and otherwise inferior materials.

[0018] In FIG. 4, along the top and bottom edges of mounting board assembly 30 is raised channel 370. Raised channel 370 in this embodiment provides mounting screw holes 320 enough depth to allow wall mount screws 360 to rest against a sufficient flange without the head of wall mount screws 360 protruding past the surface of raised channel 370. This particular embodiment is designed for fabrication from plastic. Rigid and thin materials, such as metals, could use a hole without a flange and would completely eliminate the need for a raised channel 370. Screw holes 320 facilitate a method for mounting board assembly 30 to be screwed into a supporting surface 840 as shown in FIGS. 8a, 8 b. This embodiment assumes a supporting surface 840 comprised of wood where wall mount screws 360 would be appropriate. Wall mount screws 360 would not be appropriate for many of the possible material compositions of supporting surface 840 and are only relevant for this or other similar embodiments. It will be up to the sole discretion of the user of the present invention which type of wall anchor to use to secure said invention to a wall or other supporting surface. Mounting board assembly 30 in this embodiment also has a smooth back so that it may be mounted to another smooth surface using tapes or other adhesives. Different embodiments would have textures, specific surface patterns or even extra attachments on the backside that would be appropriate to a particular wall or other supporting surface that said invention was being mounted to. Attaching mounting board assembly 30 to the wall is discussed here only for informational purposes and is not done before the entire device of the present invention is assembled and attached to display frame 80.

[0019] In FIGS. 4, 8a, 8 b frame alignment shims 340 are used in this embodiment to align inside lip 810 to mounting board assembly 30 when device of the present invention is in closed position illustrated in FIG. 8a. FIGS. 8a, 8 b show a breakaway side section of display frame 80 and a side view of mounting board assembly 30 to illustrate how frame alignment shims 340 project into display frame 80 and rest on inside lips 810. In this embodiment, display frame 80 is of a size that inside lips 810 touch all four frame alignment shims 340 so that display frame 80 is positioned in a precise vertical position relative to mounting board assembly 30. Other embodiments may have other alignment means to achieve the same purpose or may be of a non-precise nature that would negate the need for alignment altogether.

[0020] Next on FIG. 4 are mounting board alignment cavities 330. In this embodiment, the device of the present invention is manufactured for a specific interior dimension of display frame 80 but is not manufactured for a specific profile of a picture or display frame, so it has the versatility to be used with a variety of frame depths. This embodiment utilizes a cavity and dimple system described below, and best seen with reference to FIG. 3, to stack stackable spacers 20 to achieve the desired distance between artwork/media board 10 and mounting board assembly 30. Mounting board alignment cavities 330 are small indentations on raised channel 370 of mounting board assembly 30 that are located in precise locations and line up with spacer alignment dimples 220 on stackable spacer 20 depicted in FIG. 3. This particular design has spacer alignment dimples 220 slightly smaller than mounting board cavities 330, thus allowing spacer alignment dimples 220 to rest inside mounting board cavities 330 and, subsequently, stackable spacer 20 will rest snugly and flush to the raised channel 370 of mounting board assembly 30 in a predictable location. Also on FIG. 3, on the opposing side of spacer alignment dimples 220 are spacer alignment cavities 210, which are identical in size and position to the mounting board alignment cavities 330. This is what allows stackable spacer 20 to be used one on top of the other and, subsequently, allows spacer board(s) 230 to rest in a flush manner on each other, and between raised channel 370 and artwork/media backing board 120 as depicted in FIG. 8a, 8 b in predictable locations until the required depth is reached. FIGS. 8a, 8 b depict the side view of an embodiment that has (2) spacer boards 230 on the top and bottom to achieve desired depth. On certain frame profiles, no stackable spacer 20 would be needed and the artwork/media board assembly 10 in FIG. 2 would rest directly on mounting board assembly 30. Again, this embodiment utilizes this system to allow for a variety of display frame 80 depths. Other embodiments may have mounting board assembly 30 manufactured as a single unit including artwork/media board assembly 10 for applications with consistent frame depths for display frame 80. Also, other embodiments may not need an artwork/media board assembly 10 or stackable spacer 20 and artwork or other media would be attached directly to a mounting board assembly 30.

[0021] With regard to artwork/media board assembly 10 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, this embodiment comprises artwork/media backing board 120 with artwork/media pocket 100 and artwork/media board alignment dimples 110. Artwork/media pocket 100 forms a perimeter around three edges of the artwork or other media placed inside of it and then has an attached lip that extends to cover approximately ¼″ of the surface of said artwork or other media on the left, right and bottom sides. Supporting the artwork or other media from the backside is artwork/media backing board 120. In this embodiment, artwork/media backing board 120 provides a solid surface where the backside of artwork or other media placed inside rests against the frontside of the artwork/media backing board 120. This embodiment has artwork/media pocket 100 with an open top. Similar embodiments of artwork/media pocket 100 could have the open side being on the left, right or even the bottom side. Said open top on this embodiment of artwork/media pocket 100 provides both an entry and exit channel for artwork or other media placed inside and is designed with enough depth so that it does not exert any pressure on the surface of the artwork or other media placed inside. Artwork/media pocket 100 is designed to hold the artwork or other media loosely so that it is easily placed inside or removed from artwork/media pocket 100. In this embodiment, the artwork or other media being displayed is assumed to be rigid enough to sit inside the artwork/media pocket without falling out when in the open position indicated in FIG. 8b. Artwork or other media of a flimsy nature would need alternate securing means such as a tape adhesive that holds or stretches artwork or other media in a flat position and would be achievable through other embodiments.

[0022] In FIG. 8a, when the present embodiment is in a closed position, artwork/media pocket 100 is not visible while viewing through glazing material 820 of display frame 80. Artwork/media pocket 100 in this embodiment is designed to be hidden from the field of vision when in said closed position by matboard border(s) 830. Matboard border(s) 830 are common to the picture and framing industry and are colored borders that are used to complement or add color to a picture or display frame. A matboard border 830 is typically, but not limited to, about {fraction (1/16)}″ in thickness, comes in a myriad of colors, resembles a thick sheet of colored paper and commonly rests behind glazing material 820, which serves to protect the surface of mat borders 830. In this embodiment, matboard borders 830 are the same outside dimension as the glazing material 820. An interior portion of matboard border 830 is cut out so that the desired amount of it exists on all sides and the opening created in the middle by the missing material becomes the viewable portion of the artwork or other media inside when placed in front of said artwork or other media, as in the closed position of the preferred embodiment represented by FIG. 8a. Exemplary of this embodiment, (2) matboard borders 830 may be selected and stacked on top of each other, allowing different border widths to expose different amounts of the corresponding colors. The border widths of matboard borders 830 are designed so that they cover artwork/media pocket 100 entirely in the closed position illustrated in FIG. 8a. An alternate embodiment that replaces the need for artwork/media pocket 100 is to secure artwork or other media directly to the backside of matboard borders 830 located on display frame 80. Alternate embodiments without matboard border(s) 830 eliminate the need for artwork/media pocket 100.

[0023] Next, on FIGS. 1, 5 is hinge 40. In this preferred embodiment of the present device, a hinge system was chosen. For purposes of this discussion, a leg of display frame 80 is described as a one of a plurality of sides in a display frame 80. Furthermore, in this embodiment, display frame 80 has four sides and a leg would be equivalent to one of those sides. Any number of attachment means could be utilized in other embodiments to secure a leg of display frame 80 to mounting board assembly 30. The primary requirement here is that attached leg of display frame 80 be secure when the device of the present invention is in the closed position. When said device is in the open position, it is not even necessary for display frame 80 to be attached to mounting board assembly 30 and can utilize a system that allows display frame 80 to be removed from mounting board assembly 30 when in the open position. The hinge system was chosen in this embodiment because it allows display frame 80 to be rotated out of the way and the artwork or other media inside can be swapped quicker and easier than when having to disassemble a unit and then put it back together before closing and locking. As stated previously, this embodiment is designed for a fixed interior dimension for display frame 80 and is also designed to hang in a vertical or portrait fashion. In FIG. 5, a vertical leg is chosen and hinge 40 is placed on the backside of said leg with frame centering bar 420 resting inside display frame 80 and touching inside lip 810. Hinge pins 430 will be facing the exposed outside edge of display frame 80. Frame centering bar 420 is designed to automatically be in a centered position once it fits inside display frame 80 and the entire edge of frame centering bar 420 is resting on inside lip 810. Hinge attachment screws 440 are inserted into hinge bolt holes 410 to attach hinge to leg of display frame 80. Once hinge 40 is secured to display frame 80, it is designed to snap onto hinge pins 310 of mounting board assembly as seen in FIGS. 1, 4.

[0024] Next, shown on FIGS. 1, 4, 7 a, 7 b is slide bar assembly 350. In this preferred embodiment, slide bar assembly 350 must be securely attached to mounting board assembly 30 to offer any degree of integrity to the locking feature of the device of the present invention. While the particular latch shown in the figures is exemplary to this embodiment, other latching means could be used. Slide bar assembly 350 is part of a horizontally latching system and subsequently, has one bar that runs horizontally to provide a path for prong 60 in FIGS. 1, 4, 6, 7 a, 7 b to travel. Slide bar assembly 350 also comprises two vertical bars that serve to raise a horizontal bar of slide bar assembly 350 parallel to the plane of mounting board assembly 30 just high enough for prong 60 to slide under and also to anchor said horizontal bar in a fixed position. Said horizontal bar is fastened perpendicularly to said vertical bars so that horizontal bar bisects each vertical bar in the center. This is desirable as the entire device of the preferred embodiment can be rotated 180 degrees planar to the supporting surface 840 and can be used as a left side opening cabinet or a right side opening cabinet depending on the end user's preference. As seen in FIGS. 7a, 7 b the vertical bars also create starting and stopping points for the horizontal path of prong 60.

[0025] Prong 60, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4. 6, 7 a, 7 b is the next component of the latching feature. In this particular embodiment, prong 60 is not pre-attached so as to allow use of the device of the preferred embodiment as either a left side or right side opening cabinet. Seen most easily in FIG. 6, prong 60 has one way slide bar lock 630. After an orientation of left side or right side is selected, the top and the bottom of the device can be determined and prong 60 is pushed from the top side (prong key notch 610 is on the top side and one way slide bar lock 630 is on bottom) in a downward motion in between the two vertical bars of slide bar assembly 350 and under horizontal bar. FIG. 4 shows how prong 60 attaches to a right side opening cabinet. In all of these illustrations, a right side opening cabinet is illustrated. As prong 60 passes under horizontal bar of slide bar assembly 350, one way slide bar lock 630 is depressed enough to allow it to pass under horizontal bar of slide bar assembly 350. As one way slide bar lock 630 emerges on the other side of said horizontal bar, it pops back up and locks prong 60 onto slide bar assembly 350. Horizontal slide bar on slide bar assembly 350 now rests in recessed groove 640 of prong 60 and can move along the path illustrated in FIGS. 7a, 7 b.

[0026] The next component of the latch system in the preferred embodiment of the invention is catch assembly 50 as seen in FIGS. 1, 6, 7 a, 7 b. Catch assembly 50 attaches to a leg of display frame 80 opposite hinge 40. For the purposes of the description and clarity of the drawings, I will continue to use a right side opening cabinet. Positioning of catch assembly 50 is determined by pulling prong 60 as far right as it will travel on slide bar assembly 350 and then rotating frame to the closed position illustrated in FIG. 8a. Placing the unit with display frame 80 face down on a flat surface, placement of catch assembly 50 can be determined by placing it on leg of display frame 80 where prong 60 overlaps catch assembly 50. Angled prong plate 620 must extend past angled catch plate 520 to create an effective latch and orientation of each is illustrated in FIG. 6. FIG. 7a depicts how catch assembly 50 lines up with prong 60 in the locked position. Once the correct positioning for catch assembly 50 is determined, it can be attached to leg of display frame 80 with catch assembly screws.

[0027] All components that attach display frame 80 to mounting board 30 have now been addressed. In FIGS. 1, 6, 7 a, 7 c the nature and function of key 70 is shown as it relates to the device of the present invention. When key tab 710 of key 70 is inserted into channel 610 of prong 60, it provides a means of sliding prong 60 along slide bar assembly 350. In this inserted position, FIG. 7a shows how prong 60 motion, labeled Mrl. Motion Mrl pulls prong 60 to a position so that prong 60 extends into catch assembly 50. Prong 60, being secured to mounting board assembly 30, and catch assembly 50, being securely attached to leg of display frame 80, are now in an interlocking position and prevent display frame 80 from being pulled away from mounting board assembly 30. Thus, the device of the preferred embodiment is in the locked position. In the above mentioned inserted position of key 70, when key 70 is pushed in the direction of motion Mru shown in FIG. 7b, prong 60 slides to a position that is clear of catch assembly 50, allowing the display frame 80 to be pulled away from mounting board assembly 30 with no resistance. Motion Mru places the device of the preferred embodiment into the unlocked position. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for converting a picture or display frame of common manufacture and availability into a locking display cabinet comprising a mounting board assembly, a latching means and a means for attaching a picture or display frame to the device 